A26892:2246
A Christian Directory
A Christian directory, or, A sum of practical theology and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortify every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Part 1 › Chapter 5 › Tit. 4. The Thieves or Time-wasters to be watchfully avoided.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
§. 53. Th. 4. Another Time-wasting Thief is Unnecessary pomp and curiosity in retinue, attendance, 1•ouse, furniture, provision and entertainments, together with excess of complement and ceremony, and 2servitude to the humours and expectations of Time-wasters. I crowd them all together, because they are all but wheels of the same Engine, to avoid prolixity. Here also I must prevent the cavils of the guilty, by telling you that I reprove not all that in the rich, which I would reprove if it were in the poor: I intend not to level them, and judge them by the same measure. The rich are not so happy as to be so free as the poor, either from the temptation, or the seeming necessity and obligation: Let others pity the poor: I'll pity the Rich, who seem to be pinched with harder Necessities than the poor: even this seeming Necessity of wasting their precious Time in complement, curiosity and pomp, which the happy Poor may spend in the honest labours of their Callings; wherein they may at once be profitable to the Common-wealth, and maintain themselves, and meditate or confer of holy things: But yet I must say, that the Rich shall give an account of Time, and shall pay dear for that which unnecessary excesses do devour: And that instead of envying the state and curiosity of others, and seeking to excel or equal them to avoid their obloquy, they should contract and bring down all customs of excess, and show their high esteem of Time, and detestation of Time-wasting curiosity; and imitate the most sober, grave and holy; and be a pattern to others of employing Time in needful, great and manly things: I say Manly; for so childish is this Vice, that men of gravity and business do abhor it: and usually men of Vanity that are guilty of it, lay it all on the Women, as if they were ashamed of it, or it were below them. What abundance of precious Time is spent, in unnecessary state of attendance, and provisions? What abundance under pretence of cleanliness and neatness is spent in needless curiosity about rooms, and furniture, and accommodations, and matters of mere pride, vain-glory and ostentation covered with the honest name of decency? What abundance is wasted in entertainments, and unnecessary visits, complements, ceremony, and servitude to the humours of men of Vanity? I speak not for nastiness, and uncleanness, and uncomeliness: